Symptom Development in Childhood Onset Schizophrenia

Abstract

Symptom development from birth to 12 years of age was examined in 18 children who met DSM-III criteria for schizophrenia with onset before 10 years of age. Using a follow-back design, symptom development was rated at each of four age levels using a DSM-III Symptom Rating Scale and the Achenbach Child Behavior Checklist. Results revealed a gradual developmental unfolding of a broad spectrum of symptoms affecting social, cognitive, sensory and motor functioning and beginning many years before the appearance of schizophrenic symptoms--usually in early infancy. Prior to 6 years of age, severe language deficits and motor development problems were each found in 72% of the sample and symptoms of infantile autism were found in 39% of the sample. Onset of schizophrenia occurred at an earlier age for children with a history of autistic symptoms during infancy than for other children in the sample. Schizophrenia as defined by DSM-III was entirely absent before 6 years of age.

Autism spectrum disorders in children with normal intellectual levels: associated impairments and subgroups

“…The relation between disorders in the autism spectrum, MCDD, and possible overlap with schizoaffective disorder is unclear (Watkins et al 1988). These cognitive affective disorders cause severe disabilities, often with an insidious and continuous course and significant developmental delays beginning early in life (Asarnow 1999, Eggers et al 1999.…”

Childhood catatonia, autism and psychosis past and present: is there an ‘iron triangle’?

“…International scholarship increasingly recognizes a certain confluence of schizophrenia in childhood and autism (13,14). In 1984, Leonora Petty and colleagues at the University of Minnesota charted 'a subgroup of autistic children in whom schizophrenia develops' (15 (16). Even though mainstream scholarship tends to see all three diagnoses as separate entities, this may make no more sense that keeping depression and anxiety separate as disorders, given that the mixed form is the most common presentation (17).…”

A esquizofrenia ao longo da infância

“…Observaram uma diferença significativa entre o grupo que apresentava distúrbios "pertencentes ao espectro da esquizofrenia e aqueles que apresentavam distúrbios tímicos, com base nos seguintes parâmetros: sociabilidade e tendência ao retraimento, a relação com os pares, os resultados escolares, adaptação ao meio escolar; o início mais insidioso junto às crianças que apresentam distúrbios pertencentes ao espectro da esquizofrenia, comparado ao das crianças que tiveram distúrbios depressivos. Watkins et al (1988) em um estudo realizado com 18 crianças esquizofrênicas (critérios do DSM-III-R) cujos distúrbios haviam se iniciado antes dos 11 anos assinalaram igualmente distúrbios sociais, distúrbios de atenção, assim como uma restrição dos afetos e uma hipersensibilidade à crítica antes do aparecimento dos sintomas esquizofrênicos. Graves déficits de linguagem e um retardo do desenvolvimento motor se apresentaram em 72% dos casos; por outro lado, 39% das crianças da amostra haviam correspondido aos critérios de autismo infantil antes do início da esquizofrenia.…”